Undergraduate Students
Henry Bright
htbright@knights.ucf.edu
Henry Bright is an undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida within the Burnett Honors College. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. Within the Raghavan Research Group, his focus is on non-destructive characterization of residual stress within additively-manufactured super alloys using neutron diffraction. This work offered him the opportunity to collaborate with scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for ongoing experiments and a 10 week appointment in Summer 2022. After graduating, Henry plans to begin working in the aerospace industry. On campus at UCF, he serves as the Event Manager for Knight-Thon (Dance Marathon at UCF), and is an active member of SEDS-UCF and Honors Congress. His hobbies include hiking, going to the beach, disc golf, and playing games with friends. He joined the lab in Spring 2022.
Katrina Gucwa
kgucwa1_at_knights.ucf.edu
Katrina Gucwa is a Burnett Honors College undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in mathematics. She is part of the Space Team. Her research focuses on lunar regolith behavior in microgravity, with an emphasis on adhesion and ablation characteristics. Her post-graduation plans are to gain experience in the aerospace industry working on launch vehicles. Then, she would like to acquire master’s and doctoral degrees in aerospace and physics related topics. She is a recipient of the MSTAR fellowship, a research collaboration between NASA and UCF. Her hobbies include language learning, exercise, and spending time with her animals and family. She joined the lab in Spring 2022.
Posters/Presentations:
Gucwa K., “Particle-Induced Drag from Cryovolcanic Plumes” OSTEM Intern Presentations, NASA, August, 2022.
Isaac Turner
isaacturner_at_knights.ucf.edu
Isaac Turner is an undergraduate student currently working towards his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida. He is a part of the Space Team, and a member of the NASA Minds 2022 Dr. Regolith team. Through his efforts, he is helping to develop 3D-printed structures utilizing lunar regolith. After graduating, Isaac intends to earn a Master’s degree and begin working in the aerospace industry. His hobbies include reading, boardgames, dancing and home-renovations. He joined the lab Fall 2021.
Jamie Mihelich
jaime.mihelich_at_knights.ucf.edu
Jamie Mihelich is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Her research interest is the development of materials for aerospace applications. Jamie is a part of the Space Team currently working on learning the optical properties of lunar regolith. Her post-graduation goals are to work in the space industry while utilizing the knowledge gained from her research, and to potentially pursue a masters degree. Jamie’s industry interests include rocketry, satellites, and furthering human space travel. Her hobbies include reading, gaming, and traveling. She joined the lab in Fall 2021.
Luiz Sotomayor
Luizf.Sotomayor_at_knights.ucf.edu
Luiz Sotomayor is pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering as an undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida. Luiz’s research interests include mechanics of aerospace materials and structures, and aerodynamics. He is currently a part of the Space Materials team, where sensor development, matrix 3D printing, and microgravity effects are being studied. Luiz’s post-graduation goals are to begin working in the aerospace industry while continuing to conduct research on mechanics of aerospace materials, and to pursue a Master’s and Doctorate’s degree. His hobbies are soccer, working out, physical activities in general, and traveling. He joined the lab in Fall 2021.
Lauren Bansberg
lnbansberg_at_knights.ucf.edu
Lauren is an undergraduate student pursuing her second bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, after previously completing her BS in Health Sciences (Pre-clinical) from the University of Central Florida in 2020. She is currently a part of the Space team, developing 3D-printed sensors composed of polymer resin and lunar or Mars regolith to monitor the structural integrity of components in future Artemis missions. In 2019, Lauren was involved in an Independent Research Study where she and her classmates constructed a lab manual to teach students in Jamaica about STEM through a non-profit called SOSA, with focus on aerospace and immunology. She continues to participate in STEM outreach activities. Her hobbies include watching and playing sports, hiking, traveling when possible, and spending time with her friends and family. Lauren joined the lab in Fall 2021.